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kygirl

09-05-2009, 01:19 PM

Is it something in the air? Have we all lost our mojo at the same time? The reason I ask is that the art sites and scrapping sites that I frequent on a regular basis all seem to be a little less busy than they were. Maybe we all just need a little jolt to revive our creativity.

So, starting October 1, a group of us are going to explore Jula Cameron's The Artist's Way (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?field-isbn=1585421464). It's a 12-week program for artists who would like to recover their creativity and increase productivity.

http://donnabmiller.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ece0ea288330120a54187b2970b-200wi (http://donnabmiller.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ece0ea288330120a54187b2970b-pi)

The program focuses on two main activities: daily journaling and artist's dates (dates you make with yourself, by yourself, just for fun). There are reading assignments and exercises each week. While you can work through The Artist's Way on your own, it's much more fun to do it as a group. (Cameron calls them Creative Clusters.)

So, how about it? Would you like to join us?The only thing you really need is a notebook for journaling and the book (http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Julia-Cameron/dp/1585421472/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251916772&sr=8-1). It's available at all the major bookstores, or you can usually pick up a copy on E-Bay at a reasonable price. There's also a handy workbook (http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Workbook-Julia-Cameron/dp/1585425338/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251916772&sr=8-2)available with additional exercises and activities that you can use if you're interested.

Looking forward to joining you on this creative journey in October.

Lumilyon

09-05-2009, 02:15 PM

Ok Donna, the book is on its way to me x

KJ-McLean

09-05-2009, 03:47 PM

I'm here, too! :)

trkdesigns

09-05-2009, 09:12 PM

oooh...I am so in. I HAD this book at one time but loaned it to someone and never got it back. Guess I will have to rebuy...

Artist in Residence

09-05-2009, 11:00 PM

Hi Donna,

I'm in too. I'll have to find my book. Should be fun-- I could use a good creative kick in the pants!

Good idea-- thanks for suggesting this.

Juli

cfalbro

09-05-2009, 11:03 PM

I'm in. I put a bid in on the book on Ebay. If I don't get it I'll just buy it on Amazon. This sounds like fun, I'm looking forward to it.

kygirl

09-07-2009, 10:54 AM

I'm so glad to see so many folks joining in. I can't wait to get started.

There's a blnkie in my sig if you'd like to grab it and let your friends know what you're up to.

craftyamanda

09-08-2009, 01:23 AM

Hi! I am new here- I just registered (moments ago) so I could join this group...I have owned a copy of this book for several years (found it at a yard sale!) and have yet to read it... this is the push I need!

Lumilyon

09-08-2009, 10:04 AM

Welcome Craftamanda! You are going to LOVE it here!
I'll put my cards on the table and say that I'm a bit in two-minds about whether this is going to work with where I am creatively, at the moment, BUT I'm happy to go on the journey and see what it happens.

joannknnrd

09-08-2009, 11:33 AM

Yay, I'm in! I signed up as soon as I read the annoucement!

I feel pretty okay about my creativity right now (knock on wood), but I'd like to see where else I can go with, kwim?

Happy to be here!

JoAnn

Lumilyon

09-08-2009, 02:01 PM

Yes, I feel the same way. Any journey is interesting!

inky_yvonne

09-09-2009, 02:13 PM

Looking forward to this - need something to get me motivated

FLCindy

09-13-2009, 05:19 PM

I popped in to see what's been happening here. I haven't done any digi for a few months. Now, I am missing it!
TAW! Oh YEA! I've been through it 9 times. I've taught it 2x. It's very powerful! This morning, I was thinking I need to start the MP's.
Sign me up! I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

kygirl

09-14-2009, 09:47 AM

It's so exciting to see so many new faces here. We're going to have such a great time.

Cindy, this is my third time through. Maybe this time, it will stick. :)

ginnieg

09-15-2009, 01:20 AM

I have been learning PSE for going on 2 years now and feel pretty comfortable getting around and can accomplish many of the tasks needed to do digi scrapbooking.
Here is my question...I am not an artist!! In fact, I can't seem to even find the talent to put together a layout from scratch. I just stare at a blank screen or put some paper up and maybe a photo or two and then just delete....Do you think this may help me creatively or do I need to do some study on creative design or some other means to get me started.,
I really want to get with the program and get started but I am just at a loss.
What do you think?

KJ-McLean

09-15-2009, 07:40 AM

... I really want to get with the program and get started but I am just at a loss. What do you think?

About four years ago, I could have written what you just did. Speaking from my own experiences, I found that what liberated me was making artist trading cards (ATCs). The small size meant that if I was only a little bit happy with it, or even if I loved it, but was shy about anyone seeing it, it was small enough to be tucked away somewhere secret where no one would see it. And if it was truly awful, the small size meant there was very little investment in just tearing it up and throwing it away. (I only did that once, by the way. The more you get used to creating, the easier it is to find something you like about your own work.) And if you're creating digitally, you can just save the file and come back to it later with fresh eyes. I love PSE and PSP for that!

I can't design a well-balanced, appealing scrapbook page to save my live. (That's what the sketch goddesses are for!) But over the last few years I have experimented enough with creating artistic things that I've grown into thinking of myself as an "artist".

Long story short -- just jump in! Each piece of art you create makes the next one a little easier. And the more you create, the more you look at things in a creative way. I know -- I'm you, just a few years into my creative journey.

Come play! :)

kygirl

09-15-2009, 09:53 AM

Ginnieg, if there's one thing The Artist's Way teaches over and over again, it's this: We are all creative. I think the program will be perfect for you. Please join us.

Lmccandless

09-15-2009, 12:21 PM

I've had the book for years and only dabbled with it, but I'm giving it the full go this time! :)

kygirl

09-15-2009, 12:30 PM

Good for you! Welcome to DAQ.

joannknnrd

09-15-2009, 01:01 PM

I've had the book for years and only dabbled with it, but I'm giving it the full go this time! :)

Yay, Laura is here ;)

scribler

09-15-2009, 10:10 PM

I need something to get my scrapping mojo back. So, count me in!

Lmccandless

09-15-2009, 10:59 PM

Yay, Laura is here ;)

:D Thanks for the heads up about this, Joann. I'm very excited for the creative journey.

Robin

09-16-2009, 01:29 AM

This whole project is the answer to a question I haven't been prepared to ask. Yay!

Artful Amanda

09-16-2009, 01:57 AM

I am so excited to find this place!! I would love to take part in this- great time of year for it too!! :D
Artful Pioneering (http://pioneersponderings.blogspot.com)is my blog

kaylaugh

09-18-2009, 08:58 PM

Count me in! My birthday is Oct. 1st so I'll have to see if I can get the audiobook version a bit early.

Kristi

kygirl

09-19-2009, 11:15 AM

I love seeing all these new faces, and all this enthusiasm. We're going to have a blast.

clickhappy

09-19-2009, 09:03 PM

FLCindy

09-20-2009, 07:35 AM

Looking forward to it. I am new here and although I have started this journey in the past, I have not finished it and would like to have some structure to do so. :) I found I could write or type with the same outcome if I ignored correcting typos and spelling. Is this ok?:confused:

I'd say yes. Hand writing is more difficult for me due to arthritis. If you type, you may want to type 1 1/2 pages. One page is approximately 660 words, 12 font, regular margins. I'd aim for 1,000typed words-about 1 1/2 pages (which would equal 3 pages of handwritten words). Ignore typos and spelling. If you need to modify the font, margins due to disability, go ahead and do so. If you can't type 1.000 words, then aim for a page. One trick: close your eyes and type away. If you do this, you will trick your censor!

Remember, the book was originally written when computers weren't a basic household item.

kaylaugh

09-20-2009, 08:48 AM

Lumilyon

09-20-2009, 04:56 PM

Hmm...not sure about the tape recorder thing. The book says that's it's the hand moving across the page...BUT, thinking about it, does that not exclude creative but non-literate folk???? Does that mean that those who cannot read and write cannot do this programme???? What about amputees?

kaylaugh

09-20-2009, 07:48 PM

Exactly...or the visually impaired! I understand what she's saying...I really REALLY miss the feel of pen on paper. I miss my style of brainstorming where I'm jotting things down all over the page and circling and drawing arrows and such...in a word processor program I'm stuck with bullet lists and cutting and pasting to rearrange ideas. Not nearly as satisfying. Maybe I should dust off my Wacom tablet and see if my hand is up for some writing...at least that way I can increase the size that it displays for me and I can actually read what I'm writing...lol! Still, this isn't necessarily meant to be read anyway...and my original problem with my hand is why I'm not using the Wacom in the first place.

I do like our train of thought here that it's the expression more than the mode that's important. And that nobody should feel excluded because of physical limitations. We are overcoming our internal critic, our mental/emotional/spiritual blocks...no need to add physical ones to the problem!

Kristi

Lumilyon

09-21-2009, 07:00 AM

I use a Wacom but when I first began digital art, by G4 was out of action and I made images with a track pad and mouse on my laptop. I can't believe that now! Both my parents are partially sighted and registered blind. Their visual impairment has never stopped them thinking creatively and it didn't stop my dad from being a professional photographer all his life or learning how to make and computer edit videos in his retirement. Mom is almost blind now and does get very frustrated. She can't write, but she can talk for England!!!
I don't feel creatively blocked exactly, as this year has been about developing my voice as a digital artist and I'm excited and stimulated about the areas I'm exploring. In fact, i feel as if I'm listening to my inner voice for the first time in my life and things often fall into place and there is a lot of synchronicity happening. However, I'm open to anything that stretches me in new directions and I do find it exhilarating to be in the company of people who regard creativity as a spiritual endeavour, rather than being so much of the intellect. I'm interested in feeling and memory but a bit of living in the present will almost certainly do me a lot of good: a holiday in a new place.

FLCindy

09-21-2009, 08:15 AM

Hey Cindy, I was actually thinking that as a basic 'stream of consiousness brain clutter purge' it wouldn't even hurt to grab my camcorder and just verbally spend 3 minutes a day on video...kwim? Whaddaya think?

Kristi

Hmm...not sure about the tape recorder thing. The book says that's it's the hand moving across the page...BUT, thinking about it, does that not exclude creative but non-literate folk???? Does that mean that those who cannot read and write cannot do this programme???? What about amputees?

Kristi,
If you could use your Wacom and scribble, while talking to the camcorder-I believe you would get into the zone!
If you can't use your Wacom, then try the camcorder. If you can, working your way up to five minutes would be cathartic. It will be interesting to see your progress using this method.

Lumilyon,
I believe the rules would eliminate non-literate folks and amputees. However, working with people who have disabilities, I know there are always ways to accomodate.

(Kristi-this may be an idea for you!) Amputees can be hooked up the computers and use voice recognition programs. They can use their face (mostly cheeks) to move the curser on the computer, if needed. This enables someone to move in and out of programs.

For those who are non-literate, the Morning Pages would be a fantastic way to squelch the censor. They do not have to worry about correctly writing or reading the Morning Pages. They can just write what are their words. Or, they can scribble across the page. If they want to listen to TAW, they can get the audio version!

kaylaugh

09-21-2009, 08:35 AM

I've been playing with a little-known app built into Windows Vista. It's called Microsoft Journal and it's basically a notepad for jotting down notes...yes, you can write in longhand with your mouse! I may just get the wacam out for this. There are pen tools, a highlighter, and an eraser and if you want, you can select a portion of text and have it converted to type. Best of all...it's nice and big! I found it in start>all programs>accessories>tablet PC tools even though I don't have a tablet PC so I think it came with Windows Vista...unless that's some kind of update I picked up when I installed the Wacom. I dug around some of the templates and there's even blank sheet music you can doddle on! I don't know yet if it can convert music notation into some kind of playable format or not though. Someday when I get a keyboard hooked up to this computer I'll have to play around!

Kristi

kygirl

09-21-2009, 03:30 PM

Look at all the creativity here. While pen on ink worked best for Julia, I'm sure she'd agree that it's okay to look for creative solutions when paper journaling just doesn't work.

Doesn't Word have voice recognition built into it now? That might be an option. But I like the idea of just sitting down with a tape recorder for a few minutes each day, too. The important thing is to get the "junk" out of your system so that you can move on with your day.

Artist in Residence

09-22-2009, 11:14 PM

I already said that I'm in, but I'm so excited I'm going to say that I'm in, again!

woo-hoo!

Juli/Artist in Residence

gardenerjoy

09-23-2009, 01:26 PM

Count me in! I went completely through the book once. I think it was 1996. I don't even own a copy anymore. So I ordered a new one.

I was doing digital art and scrapbooking earlier this year, but got distracted a couple of months ago and so I hope this will help me a bit in that area.

Is anyone a writer? Even more than the digital art, I'm hoping this trip through The Artist's Way will help me with NaNoWriMo -- National Novel Writing Month, which is November.

Tangie Baxter

09-23-2009, 01:49 PM

Okay making the commitment official. I bought the book 2 years ago and it sat untouched on a shelf in my studio until last night.

Bring it on! Morning brain drain and all! :D

kygirl

09-23-2009, 05:55 PM

Yes, let's dust off those dusty copies, and get rolling. :-)

Gardenerjoy, writing a novel is on my list of 50 things to do before I die. I was a corporate writer/editor for almost 30 years, so I'd like to see if I could do something more creative. I think there are quite a few Quirks who write in addition to working with digital art.

gothmama

09-26-2009, 12:50 AM

Hello, my Quirky friends!

It has been a long time since I have been around, and for that I apologize. A series of technical difficulties and a busy summer of chasing kids around has kept me at a distance.

I am interested in joining in this program of working through The Artists Way.
The book is familiar to me because my talented cousin went through it and
enjoyed it, and I bought a copy for my mom.

It turns out that all my time away from here and from scrapping has made me feel estranged from this medium that I had embraced. And, truth out, I never really feel like an artist, but a hack with enough time to bang stuff out. So, lately I have been channeling my creativity into motherhood, but I want to try to get back to my community here and the sense that I can tap into an artistic spirit. So, even if I am still digitally challenged, I would like to do the writing and work towards getting my technical issues under control.

Thanks, friends! Here we go!!!

Bright Blessings,

Laurel

kygirl

09-26-2009, 10:50 AM

Laurel, it's so good to see you back. One of the most interesting things about The Artist's Way is that it really works in all aspects of our lives, not just the artistic ones. In fact, doing the morning pages, I've been more likely to find answers to my personal problems, rather than the creative ones.

There's even a website called The Artist's Way at Work that's directed toward businessmen. I can't wait to see The Artist's Way for Homeschoolers. :-)

jennv

09-30-2009, 08:57 AM

OK...i love donna (still miss her on the SBG CREW!!) and I saw this thread at DST....so this was a no-brainer for me. Like Tangie, I've had this book and workbook on my shelf for YEARS....untouched. So, now is the right time for me. My boys are both in school (my youngest started kindergarten 3 weeks ago) and I have the time to commit. I'm excited.

So count me in. I'm going to check out the other threads after I take the boys to the school bus, but I am excited.

Jenn

sherriejd

09-30-2009, 05:00 PM

i'm in. just have to go find that book in the shelves downstairs now... hm.... :)

kygirl

09-30-2009, 05:27 PM

Jenn and Sherrie, I'm so glad you're joining us. It's amazing how many of us have had the book for years, but put it aside for "someday." This is going to be fun.

Laura Jane

10-01-2009, 08:08 PM

I'm joining! I read the Artist's Way about 10 yrs ago and have been doing morning pages and occasional artist dates since...been looking to do this as a group for a long time. I love Julia Cameron, and have several other of her books too. So happy to be here!

kygirl

10-01-2009, 08:26 PM

Glad you're joining us, Laura Jane. Welcome to DAQ.

Scamptx

10-04-2009, 11:20 AM

I'm late, but I need a refresher on TAW.. Can I join in?

twinsmomflor

10-05-2009, 12:10 AM

A bit late... but I finally got my book and ready to go.... I forgot to sign up... Hope that's okay....
Flor

kygirl

10-05-2009, 10:44 AM

No, it's not too late. I'm glad you're joining us. I'll send you the materials for the first week right now.

LotusCloud

10-05-2009, 02:06 PM

I'm completely new to Digital Art Quirks, and have no idea what I'm doing. I would like to sign up for the "Artist's Way" workshop. Is replying to this thread the way to do it?

I got my hands on a copy of the book, and have started journaling, but have no idea how else to proceed or participate. Any direction to get me on my way would be a blessing!

kygirl

10-05-2009, 03:34 PM

Welcome to Digital Art Quirks, LotusCloud. I've added you to the Artist's Way group list, and I'm sending you a copy of the Chapter One prompts. We're glad you've joined us.

LotusCloud

10-07-2009, 05:59 PM

Thank you! I got my Chapter One prompts, and have already had my first artistic inspirations. Thank you for arranging this exploration, I am enjoying the journey so far.

Kazadoodle

10-08-2009, 11:24 PM

It probably is too late to join but I need to know if it's going to be pretty much like TAW, or not. I know that's confusing.

Let me explain - I have had TAW for well over four years. I have tried very hard to read it, but simply cannot relate to Ms Cameron at all. I usually end up putting the book down and conveniently losing it, but it always turns up. I tried giving it to someone, but they disappeared before I could send it to them. I have thrown the book across the room in frustration (oh yes!) and the darn thing remains intact.

All of this makes me think - I'm supposed to have this book so I try again and I'm back in the cycle.

Am I the only one who finds the author preachy, sanctimonious and self righteous? Not to mention that she is overly word (five pages to describe something that, as far as I'm concerned, could have been done in a page or less). I just want to smack her, is that wrong?

If it's not too late and this endeavor will be more Donna/DAQ and less Julia, could I join? Maybe as a shared experience, I could cope with her, couldn't I? :confused:

kygirl

10-09-2009, 10:08 AM

No, Karin, it's not too late.

And, yes, Karin, Cameron can be a little preachy. :) Honestly, I just skip the parts I don't like or that don't relate to me. The part of the program that really makes a difference is answering the questions at the end of the chapter, doing the morning pages, and going on your artist's date.

I'll send you the first two week's worksheets (as soon as g-mail comes back online here), and you can just let me know if you want to receive anymore.

Lumilyon

10-09-2009, 08:02 PM

To be honest, I find the woman deeply irritating and I tend to avoid reading her movie industry anecdotes, but I'm enjoying the journey thus far. Can I just ask everyone: how to you feel about journal pages that contain swear words? I did a very honest page today which really expressed how I feel about certain people in my life, just as has been prescribed, but it does contain a four letter word. As the page is about me not being afraid to express myself honestly, then taking the word out rather defeats the point! We're all grown-ups here, and I know that we encourage each other, but would it offend if I post it? Probably a question that should be directed to you Donna, as you're the boss!